The case study that I have chosen for this discussion is case study #2:
The patient in this case study is a 28-year-old female of Argentinean descent. The patient was born in the United States two years after her parents’ emigration. The patient presents with symptoms of depression and chronic passive suicidal ideation—with a plan but no intent. The patient claims to have sought psychotherapy because she feels her parents are preventing her from being the person she wants to be. She has goals to become an independent entrepreneur as a designer for pregnant women’s clothing. These aspirations are reported to go against her family’s expectations that she become a stay-at-home mother and raise children of her own. The patient is well-groomed, exhibits logical thought processes and reasonable awareness and comprehension into her issues.
The theoretical orientation I would utilize to conceptualize this patient’s problem(s) and how they developed would be through the humanistic approach. The basic assumptions of this approach illustrate that humans have free will and we are all unique and have an inborn drive to achieve our highest potential (self-actualization) (McLeod, 2015). In this patient’s case, it appears that her parents are endeavoring to limit the patient’s free will and thus preventing her from fulfilling her innate drive to achieve her highest potential. This oppression of self and free will, in-turn, is having adverse impacts and manifesting in the form of depression and the patient’s chronic passive suicidal ideation. Her parent’s restriction of her basic human rights to pursue what makes the patient happy can metaphorically be seen as a slow suicide. While more information would need to be obtained, it is likely that the lack of ability to exercise free will and independence over one’s life and choices may feel quite suffocating. The inability to be heard and having your voice and desires repressed could result in feelings of insignificance, worthlessness, and hopelessness. This can lead to depression and thoughts of suicide, and in some unfortunate cases, actual suicide. Depression is a serious mental health condition and a leading cause in suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Therefore, I would want to address, evaluate, and if applicable treat the patient’s depression first and foremost and see if this has any sort of positive impact on her passive suicidal ideation. As maintained by Morrison (2014), “Thoughts of death, death wishes, and suicidal ideas are the most serious depressive symptoms of all, because there is a real risk that the patient will successfully act upon them” (Ch. 3). Whenever a person talks of depression and suicidal thoughts/ideation, it is imperative to take it seriously and explore it further/assist them in getting the help necessary.
A final note, when listening and observing this patient, I became acutely aware of a personal bias. When the patient stated that her parents were preventing her from being the person she wanted to be, my internal response dialogue was that this patient was deflecting and lacking personal accountability. At 28 years old, the patient is past the point of asserting independence. At this stage in life, independence is a personal choice. I realized that this is a very Westernized way of thinking and perhaps insensitive to the patient’s Argentinean descent. However, on the other side of this, I realize that this patient may not have ever really had the opportunity to learn personal accountability and/or asserting independence within a home environment that seems very oppressive and authoritarian. Thus, I would definitely take the time to explore the patient’s family background and home environment through the years to better understand her situation and prevailing issues.
References:
McLeod, S. A. (2015). Humanism. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/humanistic.html
Morrison, J. (2014). DSM-5 made easy: The clinician’s guide to diagnosis. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
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